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Amid Hugs, Tears, Applause, Pastor Confesses Porn Habit

Tribune photo by KELVIN MA

Parishioners exit St. James United Methodist Church in New Tampa after the Rev. Brian James admitted his porn habit Sunday.

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By NICOLA M. WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 17, 2007

Updated: 12/17/2007 12:55 am

TAMPA - The Rev. Brian James apologized to his congregation Sunday morning, admitted he had an addiction to Internet pornography and asked for forgiveness.

His followers, some with tears in their eyes, stood and clapped.

"He is feeling badly about what he did, but we're all weak and we need to confess when we're wrong," St. James United Methodist Church member Cathy Martin said after the service. "That is the way Christians are."

Although James, 45, a father of four, seemed to have the support of church members - many of whom went up to hug him and shake his hand during the emotional service - he will be stepping down as the pastor of the Tampa Palms congregation he has led for the past seven years, one of the largest and oldest churches in New Tampa.

"Obviously, this is not acceptable behavior for a pastor," said the Rev. Bert Blomquist, district superintendent of 89 Methodist churches, including St. James.

"These actions are very serious and prohibit anyone from functioning as a pastor in any of our churches."

The Rev. Riley Short of Lakeland will temporarily take the reins of the church. James will undergo therapy and take a leave of absence.

James could eventually return to being a pastor, Blomquist said.

James' online pornography habit came to light Dec. 10, when he admitted to church leaders that he had a problem. On Wednesday, James talked to Bishop Timothy Whitaker. Church officials say no crimes have been committed and they are "absolutely certain" that neither children nor child pornography were involved.

By Sunday morning, most church members already knew their pastor was going to step down.

Still, James' address was met with sobs and shaking heads.

"I'm about drained," Blomquist said from the pulpit Sunday. "I don't know about some of you. My emotions are drained; my tear ducts are dry."

James, who came to the service with his wife by his side, didn't mince words when it came for his time to talk:

"I have failed this church," he said.

For two years, he said he convinced himself that because his online pornography habit was a secret, it was under control.

Then members of the church staff learned about it, he said.

"When confronted with the reality of its discovery, I admitted my guilt," he said. "There is no honor in confessing what has already come to light."

At the end of his statement, he said, "God is good."

The congregation replied, "All the time."

Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or nwhite1@tampatrib.com.

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